Drew survived a second half barrage by Lycoming to book a place in the MAC Finals against FDU on Saturday. The 14-12 win today earned Drew the right to play for a spot in the NCAA Tournament as the MAC Champions. Lindsey Perno scored five goals while Courtney Cunningham scored a pair of crucial second half goals as Drew outlasted the visiting Warriors. Lycoming (14-4, 9-3) were led by Megan Wallenhorst's six goals as they fell to the host Rangers (14-3, 10-1) in the MAC Semifinals.

Drew built a huge early lead by playing one of their best halves of the season. Drew controlled possession for the majority of the first half and scored four goals in the first two and a half minutes of play. Alex Weber Reitz, who scored the game winner on an eight meter shot in overtime the last time these two teams met, opened the scoring with an eight meter goal just 45 seconds into the match. Lindsey Perno, controversial left out of the MAC All-Conference teams, proceeded to score the next three goals in less than ninety seconds, all unassisted. The junior had an outstanding first half with a pair of draw controls, two ground balls and two caused turnovers to go with her four unassisted tallies.

Lycoming got on the board through Megan McIntyre as 21:50. Allie Bailly picked up the first of her four goals around the twenty minute mark before Megan Wallenhorst, remember the name, and Perno traded goals. Up 6-2, the Rangers finished off the period on a 4-0 run as they seemingly put distance between themselves and the Warriors, 10-2 at half.

The last three times these two teams have played the game has been decided by a single goal. Last season, then senior Kaity Ryan scored twice in the final thirty seconds to give Drew the win at Lycoming and Sarah Wingerden scored with 11 seconds left at Drew in the MAC Playoffs last season to give Lyco the win. Earlier this year, Alex Weber Reitz won it in overtime. Why is this history important? Because it helps to show that a 10-2 lead is never safe when these teams are playing.

Lycoming stormed out of the break, scoring five unanswered goals as they dominated Drew just as Drew had dominated them in the first half. Two from McIntyre, who would finish with four, and three from Wallenhorst brought the scored to 10-7 and swung the momentum entirely in Lycoming's favor. Though they were still up by three goals, the Rangers seemed to be reeling before senior captain Courtney Cunningham stabilized the team. She grabbed three consecutive draw control and scored two of the games next three goals. Her two unassisted tallies at 18:20 and 16:44 proved crucial goals as it slowed the Warrior momentum and got Drew back on the front foot. Perno followed with one of her own (Justine Titko had grabbed a goal from Lycoming) to bring the score to 13-8 with 16 minutes to play.

Down five, the Warriors continued to press the attack with Wallenhorst, Crystal Cody and McIntyre all scoring before the ten minute mark. At 13-11, the game was balanced on a knife edge, but the Rangers had gotten more possession and Stef Rutkowski made a big save on Kelly Mack's shot to keep the lead a two goals. With less than five minutes remaining first-year defender Christina Lanzilotta caused a pair of turnovers on key defensive stands for the Rangers. Allie Bailly seemed to score the clinching goal as she netted on a eight meter attempt with 2:58 remaining, forcing Lycoming to pull their keeper. The Warriors struck back right off the draw as Wallenhorst controlled it and then promptly scored eight seconds later. At 14-12, Bailly grabbed the ensuing draw to give Drew possession. The Rangers would get lucky in the final minutes as Wallenhorst hit the post on a shot the Gabbie Haenn grabbed the rebound on. The Rangers ran out the clock for a nervy 14-12 victory.

Drew advances to the MAC Championship game for the ninth time in ten years with the win having won five of them. This time they will take on cross town rivals, FDU who upset top seedthriller on the road. The game is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday.

2007-05-04